Republican Sens. Orrin Hatch of Utah and Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss, both of Georgia, announced they would vote to send the measure over a critical hurdle in a test vote set for Tuesday, bringing the number of GOP lawmakers to seven. Sen. John Hoeven of North Dakota said he was inclined to join them.

The announcements more than offset an announcement from Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., who said he would vote to block the bill.

The measure at the center of the maneuvering would restore about $63 billion in across-the-board cuts scheduled to take effect in the current budget year and the next one.

The bill cleared the House last week on a lopsided vote of 332-94.

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